The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 1 eBook

“Janamejaya said, ’O thou foremost of
regenerate ones, deceitfully defeated at dice by the
sons of Dhritarashtra and their counsellors, incensed
by those wicked ones that thus brought about a fierce
animosity, and addressed in language that was so cruel,
what did the Kuru princes, my ancestors—­the
sons of Pritha—­(then) do? How also
did the sons of Pritha, equal unto Sakra in prowess,
deprived of affluence and suddenly over whelmed with
misery, pass their days in the forest? Who followed
the steps of those princes plunged in excess of affliction?
And how did those high souled ones bear themselves
and derive their sustenance, and where did they put
up? And, O illustrious ascetic and foremost of
Brahmanas, how did those twelve years (of exile) of
those warriors who were slayers of foes, pass away
in the forest? And undeserving of pain, how did
that princess, the best of her sex, devoted to her
husbands, eminently virtuous, and always speaking
the truth, endure that painful exile in the forest?
O thou of ascetic wealth tell me all this in detail,
for, O Brahmana, I desire to hear thee narrate the
history of those heroes possessed of abundant prowess
and lustre. Truly my curiosity is great.’

“Vaisampayana said, ’Thus defeated at
dice and incensed by the wicked sons of Dhritarashtra
and their counsellors, the sons of Pritha set out
from Hastinapura. And issuing through Vardhamana
gate of the city, the Pandavas bearing their weapons
and accompanied by Draupadi set out in a northernly
direction. Indrasena and others, with servants
numbering altogether fourteen, with their wives, followed
them on swift cars. And the citizens learning
of their departure became overwhelmed with sorrow,
and began to censure Bhishma and Vidura and Drona and
Gautama. And having met together they thus addressed
one another fearlessly.

’Alas, our families, we ourselves, and our homes
are all gone, when the wicked Duryodhana, backed by
the son of Suvala, by Karna and Dussasana, aspireth
to this kingdom. And, Oh, our families, our (ancestral)
usages, our virtue and prosperity, are all doomed
where this sinful wretch supported by wretches as
sinful aspireth to the kingdom! And, Oh, how can
happiness be there where these are not! Duryodhana
beareth malice towards all superiors, hath taken leave
of good conduct, and quarreleth with those that are
near to him in blood. Covetous and vain and mean,
he is cruel by nature. The whole earth is doomed
when Duryodhana becometh its ruler. Thither,
therefore, let us proceed whither the merciful and
high-minded sons of Pandu with passions under control
and victorious over foes, and possessed of modesty
and renown, and devoted to pious practices, repair!’

“Vaisampayana said, ’And saying this,
the citizens went after the Pandavas, and having met
them, they all, with joined hands, thus addressed
the sons of Kunti and Madri.